demokratlike

Demokratlike is a term that has emerged in political discourse to describe a style of governance or political behavior that, while potentially mimicking the outward appearance of democracy, may lack genuine democratic substance. It is often used critically to suggest that a system or leader operates under a veneer of democratic legitimacy without adhering to core democratic principles such as free and fair elections, protection of minority rights, independent judiciary, or freedom of the press.

The term implies a selective adoption of democratic mechanisms. For example, a government might hold elections but manipulate the process to ensure a predetermined outcome, or it might maintain the facade of a legislative body that rubber-stamps executive decisions. Political actors described as "demokratlike" may engage in rhetoric that champions democratic values while simultaneously undermining the institutions and practices that uphold them.

The concept is not necessarily about a complete rejection of democratic forms but rather a perversion or hollowed-out version of them. It highlights the potential for authoritarian or illiberal tendencies to operate within a system that formally retains democratic structures. Analyzing "demokratlike" phenomena involves scrutinizing the actual functioning of political institutions and the protection of civil liberties, rather than solely relying on the presence of democratic procedures. The term serves as a warning against superficial understandings of democracy and encourages a deeper examination of power dynamics and accountability.